Light reflecting stud



April 20, 1943. H. B. woob 2,317,162

LIGHT REFLECTING STUD Filed Aug. 23, 1940 A TTORNf Y Fateniea Apt? 2% LIGHT BEFLECTING STUD Howard B. Wood, New York, N. Y., assignor to Lnmelite Corporation poration of New York New York, N. Y., a cor- Application August 23, 1940, Serial No. 353,831

9 Claims. ((3. 88-82) This invention relates to light-reflecting studs for use in signs and producing multi-colored effects when light rays impinge thereon.

The nature and objects of this invention will become clear from the following description. appended claims and accompanying drawing forming a part ofthis specification and wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an illustrative sign embodying and containing the principles of this invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of a reflecting stud embodied and utilized inthe sign shown in Figure 1; v

Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3. of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an expanded view showing the details of construction of the light-reflecting studs; and

Figure 5 is a plan view of the multi-colored light produced by a light-reflecting stud.

The studs constituting this invention are so designed and constructed that, when arranged and secured to a sign panel and light rays from any source impinge on the front thereof, multicolored effects will be visible to an observer viewing the sign from the front thereof.- The studs are also so constructed and designed that, when arranged and secured to a sign panel and light rays from any source impinge on the rear surface of the sign, multi-colored effects or an annular ring efiect will be visible to an observer" viewing the sign from the front thereof.

In order to more fully explain the nature of the invention, reference will now be had to the accompanying drawing wherein like reference numerals designate like partsand wherein the reference numeral l designates generally a sign comprising a panel 5 having light-reflecting studs 6 arranged and positioned in accordance with the desired indicia. In the form shown in Figure 1, the indicia are represented for illustrative purposes by the word Sign. It is to be understood that the indicia are'not restricted to the precise indicia illustrated, since it is obvious that the indicia may be any desired word or words, character or characters, figures, etc.

The panel 5 maybe formed of any desired material. Generally, the ultimate use of the sign i determines the nature of the material constituting the panel. Thus, if the sign is intended for outdoor use, as, for example, a road marker, then the panel 5 may be made of a material. such as sheet metal, plastic, or the like, which is resistant to the elements of the weather. On the other hand, if the sign is to be used indoors.

then the panel 5, though it can be made of a weather resistant material, need not be made thereof but may be made of any other suitable material.

In order to enhance the appearance of the sign i, the panel 5 may be appropriately decorated. For example, the panel 5 may be provided with an appropriately colored or multi-colored coating. If desired, though it is not essential, the indicia may also be delineated by an appropriate colored coating, such as is generally indicated by the reference numeral 8. The colors of the panel coating and/or the indicia are preferably contrasting and of a hue whichwill tend to intensify the multi-colored effects given off by the studs when the sign is illuminated.

The construction of the light-reflecting studs 6 is an important feature of this invention. In one embodiment of the invention, each stud 6 comprises a head In having a rearwardly extending hollow skirt H. The head I0 is preferably solid and rounded (semi-spherical), as shown in the drawing. The skirt H is preferably made integral with the head It and is so positioned with respect to the rear flat face of the head as to provide the stud 6 with a circumferential shoulder l2 for the reasons which will become apparent hereafter. The skirt II is furthermore made of such length that it will project from the rear of the sign.

In the interior of the hollow skirt ii there is provided a cylindrical insert [5 which is preferably of such a size that the top and the side walls thereof fit snugly and flush with the flat rear face of the head It) and the inner wall of the skirt I I, with which it engages. The bottom face l6 of the insert I5 is made concave for reasons which will hereafter appear. A light-reflecting element I1 is disposed within the skirt II and positioned in cooperative relationship with respect to the concave surface l6 so that the light rays passinz through the insert i5 will be reflected thereto by said reflecting element 11. In the form shown, the reflecting element i1 is provided with a concave reflecting surface l8 and with teeth i 9, whereby it may be locked into position within the hollow skirt II. The locking of the reflecting element I'l into position also serves tosecure the insert it in position.

The material or materials of which the head It, the skirt II and the insert l5 are made should be such as will transmit both incident and reflected rays of light without substantially dispersing said rays of light. In addition, the material should present pleasing and non-glaring effects when illuminated. Acrylate resins. and

properties and characteristics to a very high dearea and, accordingly, in the preferred form of the invention, the head in, the skirt Ii and the insert [5 are formed of an acrylate resin, specifically that acrylate resin sold under the tradename of Lucite. To secure the desired multicolored effects, the insert I5 is made of a color different from the color of the head ill and the skirt ii.

The reflecting element H is preferably made of metal, the concave surface 18 thereof being provided with a. reflecting surface.

In the construction of the sign, the selected sign panel, decorated as previously described, is

provided with a plurality of holes arranged in' accordance with the desired indicia. In each of the holes there is inserted a stud 8. previously assembled, and including the insert i5 and the reflecting element l1. Each stud 6 is inserted in one of the holes so that the shoulder l2 of the stud is flush with the front surface of the panel 5, whereby the holes in the panel are concealed from view. Various means may be utilized to lock and secure the stud in place in the panel. in the form shown, this is secured by means of a lock washer 20 which is positioned on the skirt H, as shown in Figure 3. The lock washer 20 is normally concave and is provided with teeth 2i whereby, when it is positioned on the skirt II and flattened, the teeth 2! will grip the skirt ii and thereby securely lock the stud in position.

When light rays impinge on the front face of the sign, the light rays will be transmitted through the head Ill. The light rays impinging on the head opposite to the skirt II will pass through the skirt and be visible to an observer as an annular ring of light. The light rays penetrating the head Iii in juxtaposition to the insert l5 will also pass therethrough and, after impinging on the reflecting surface I 8 of the reflecting element II, will be reflected therefrom and pass through the insert 15, and the head ill will be visible to an observer as a circle of light having a, color substantially the same as the insert. Because of the construction of the stud, ther will become visible a circle of light having an annular ring surrounding a differently colored field of light. If the head In and the skirt i l are made of, for example, clear, transparent, colorless Lucite and the insert I5 is made of, for example, transparent red colored Lucite, the

stud 6 will, when light rays impinge on the head l0, present to view a circle of light having a twotone color effect, and specifically a ring of white colorless) light surrounding a field of red light 26, such as is illustrated in Figure 5.

If light rays impinge on the rear of the sign panel, the light will penetrate through the skirt II and through the head i0 and form a ring of white (colorless) light. If no light rays penetrate the insert l5, then the ring of the visible white light will appear hollow, thereby also producing a two-tone effect.

If desired, the insert l5 may be made of two or more colors, with the result that the circle of light visible to an observer may consist of a plurality of contiguous rings of differently colored liglif; surrounding a solid field of light. Also, if desired, the multi-colored effects of selected studs may be made different by using differently colored inserts.

The studs hereinbefore described are particularly useful in the manufacture of road markers.

By virtue of the multi-colored, and specifically the two-tone, effects produced, they are not only visible but also are highly attractive, with the reof, for example, an automobile driver.

A sign containing the light-reflecting studs embodiedby this invention may be-utilized wherein light rays are caused to impinge on the front face ofthe sign by any appropriate means. for.ex ample, a source of light, such as an incandescent lamp'and. a reflector directing the light rays onto the sign. If desired, the source of illumination may be positioned to cause the light rays thereof to impinge on the rear on the panel. Alternatively, the source oflight may be provided to cause light rays to impinge alternately on first the front, and then the rear face of the sign.

Since it is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in the above description without departing from the nature or spirit thereof, this invention is not restricted thereto except as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A reflecting stud adapted to be positioned in an aperture formed in a panel and comprising a head permitting the passage oflight rays therethrough and adapted to be exposed on the front surface of said panel, said head having a circumferential shoulder adapted to be seated on the front face of the panel, a hollow skirt permitting the passage of light rays there'tlirough and extending from the rear face of said head, and means to permit the passage of light rays impinging on the rear of the stud through the wall of said skirt only and present a ring of light to an observer.

2. A reflecting stud adapted to be positioned in an aperture formed in a panel and comprising a head permitting the passage of light rays therethrough and adapted to be exposed on the front surface of said panel, said head having a circumferential shoulder adapted to be seated .on the front face of the panel, a hollow skirt permitting the passage of light rays therethrough and ex-- tending from the rear face of said head, and means in the hollow of said skirt to inhibit the passage of light rays impinging on the rear thereof, whereby light rays impinging on the rear of the stud will be visible to an observer as a ring of light.

3. A reflecting stud adapted to be positioned in an aperture formed in a panel and comprising a head permitting the passage of light rays therethrough and adapted to be exposed on the front face of said panel, said head having a circumferential shoulder adapted to be seated on the front face of the panel, a hollow skirt permitting the passage of light rays therethrough and extending from the rear face of said head, said skirt being adapted -to pass through said aperture and project from the rear face of said panel. the light rays passing through the wall of said skirt being visible to an observer as a ring of light, means within the hollow of said skirt to reflect light rays passing through said head and incident thereorLand means within the hollow of said skirt to color said reflected light rays, said reflected light rays being visible to an observer as a field of colored light within said ring of light.

4. A reflecting stud adapted to be positioned in an aperture formed in a panel and comprising a head permitting the passage of light rays therethrough'and adapted to be exposed on the front face of said panel, said head having a circumferential shoulder adapted to be seated on the front face of the panel, a hullOW skirt permitting the passage of light rays therethrough and extending from the rear face of said head, said skirt being adapted to pass through 'said aperture and project from the rear face of said panel, the light rays passing through the wall of said skirt being visible to an observer as a ring of light, a colored insert permitting the passage of light rays therethrough positioned in the hollow of said skirt, and means within the hollow of said skirt and below said insert to reflect light rays incident thereon through said insert, said reflected light rays being visible to an observer as a field of light within said ring of light.

A reflecting stud adapted to be positioned in an aperture formed in a panel and comprising a head permitting the passage of light rays therethrough and adapted to be exposed on the front fact of said panel, said head having a circumferential shoulder adapted to be seated on the front face of the panel, a hollow skirt permitting the passage of light rays therethrough and extending from the rear face of said head, said skirt being adapted to pass through said aperture and project from the rear face of said panel, the light rays passing through the wall of said skirt being visible to an observer as a ring of light, an insert permitting the passage of light rays therethrough positioned in the hollow of said skirt, and means within the hollow of said skirt and below said insert to reflect light rays incident thereon through said insert, said insert being of a color different from said head and skirt, said reflected light rays being visible to an observer as a field of light within said ring of light.

6. A reflecting stud adapted to be positioned in an aperture formed in a panel and comprising a head permitting the passage of light rays therethrough and adapted to be exposed on the front face of said panel, said head having a circumferential shoulder adapted to be seated on the front face of the panel, a hollow skirt permitting the passage of light rays therethrough and extending from the rear face of said head, said skirt being adapted to pass through said aperture and project from the rear face of said panel, the light rays passing through the wall of said skirt being visible to an observer as an annular ring of light, an insert permitting the passage of light rays therethrough positioned in the hollow of said skirt, a reflector in the hollow of said skirt and below said insert to reflect light rays incident thereon to said insert, said reflected light rays being visible to an observer as a field of light within said ring of light, and means to secure said reflector in position in said skirt.

7. A reflecting stud adapted to be positioned in an aperture formed in a panel and comprising a head permitting the passage of light rays therethrough and adapted to be exposed on the front face of said panel, said head having a circumferential shoulder adapted to be seated on the front face of the panel, an annular skirt permitting the passage of light rays therethrough and extending from the rear face of said head. said skirt being adapted to'pass through said aperture and project from the rear face of said panel, the light rays passing through the wall of said skirt being visible to an observer as a ring of light, a colored insert permitting the passage of light rays therethrough positioned in the hollow of said skirt, and a metallic reflector in the hollow of said skirt and below said insert to reflect light rays incident thereon to said insert, said reflected light rays being visible to an observer as a field of light within said ring of light, said reflector having teeth along its peripher l edge to engage the inner wall of said skirt to lock said reflector in position.

8. A reflecting stud adapted to be positioned in an aperture formed in a panel and comprising a head permitting the passage of light rays therethrough and adapted to be exposed on the front face of said panel, said head having a circumferential shoulder adapted to be seated on the front face of the panel, a hollow skirt permitting the passage of light rays therethrough and extending from the rear face of said head. said skirt being adapted to pass through said hole and project from the rear face of said panel, the light rays passing through the wall of said skirt being visible to an observer as a ring of light, an insert permitting the passage of light rays therethrough positioned in the hollow of said skirt, a reflector in the hollow of said skirt and below said insert to reflect light rays incident thereon to said insert, said reflected light rays being visible to an observer as a field of light within said ring of light, and means to secure said reflector in position in said skirt, said head, skirt and insert being made of Lucite, said insert being of a color different from said head and skirt.

9. A reflecting stud adapted to be positioned in an aperture formed in a panel and comprising a head permitting the passage of light rays therethrough and adapted to be exposed on the front face of said panel, said head having a circumierential shoulder adapted to be seated on the front face of the panel, a hollow skirt permitting the passage of light rays therethrough and extending from the rear face of said head, said skirt being adapted to pass through said aperture and project from the rear face of said panel, the light rays passing through the wall of said skirt being visible to an observer as a ring of light, an insert permitting the passage of lightrays therethrough positioned in the hollow of said skirt, and a metallic reflector in the hollow of said skirt and below said insert to reflect light rays incident thereon to said insert, said reflected light rays being visible to an observer as a field of light within said ring of light, said reflector having teeth along its peripheral edge to engage the inner wall of said skirt to lock said reflector in position, said head, skirt and insert being made of Lucite," said insert being of a color different from said head and skirt.

HOWARD B. WOOD.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2, 517,162. April 20, 191;

aomma' B. WOOD.

the printed specification n as follows Page 3, first that the said Letters It is hereby certified that error Appears in of the above numbered patent requiring corredtio column, line 20, claim 5, for "fact" read "face"; and Patent should be read with this c erreotion therein that the same to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed. this 25111 day or ma A. n. 1911,

Henry Van Arsda le (Seal) Acting Commis'sioner of Patents.

may conform 

